The GEF-5 strategy for chemicals sets to consolidate the persistent organic pollutants (POPs) and ozone layer depletion focal areas, as well as to broaden the scope of GEF's engagement with the sound management of chemicals and to initiate work on mercury. The goal of the GEF's chemicals focal area is:

to promote the sound management of chemicals throughout their life-cycle in ways that lead to the minimization of significant adverse effects on human health and the global environment

Project Types and Priority Issues

SGP chemicals portfolio has gained considerable experiences in the following types of activities (examples and good cases on the following types of activities can be found at SGP POPs Training Module):

In GEF-5, SGP will pilot activities on chemicals and heavy metals as well as chemicals in products with direct and visible impact and relevance to community life. DDT alternatives to control malaria, e-waste, mercury use and exposure in small scale gold mining, lead in paint, and chemicals in products are appropriate areas where SGP can make a tangible impact on.

DDT. DDT is still legally and widely used in some 17 countries for malaria vector control. SGP should pilot activities to:

develop and pilot alternatives to DDT in malaria vector control

consolidate and disseminate local and traditional experiences and knowledge in malaria vector control

Raise awareness on the toxicity of DDT

E-waste. E-waste is one of the fastest growing segments of waste streams in Asia and the Pacific as well as in other parts of the world. For example, approximately 4 million personal computers (PCs) are discarded every year in China alone. E-waste valued at $1.5 billion was generated in India in 2006. SGP can undertake the following activities:

develop infrastructure to be able locally to recycle such used and end-of-life equipment.

Mercury. SGP can demonstrate mercury reduction activities through:

reducing mercury use and exposure in Artisanal and Small- scale Gold Mining (ASGM)

increase local awareness and

develop alternative methods to gold mining without mercury

enhance capacity for safe storage

reduce atmospheric emissions of mercury; and manage contaminated community sites

Lead in paint. Lead is a heavy metal with known impacts on health, especially on children's health. Paints are sold with added lead in developing countries and countries with economies in transition. SGP could pilot the following activities:

support awareness raising on the toxicity of lead and on alternatives

identify potential lead exposure

reduce exposure to lead in paint

in collaboration with businesses, pilot alternatives to lead in paint

Chemicals in products. Knowledge and information are fundamental to the sound management of chemicals. Chemicals are widely used in products, and some chemicals are harmful and toxic in products where communities have no knowledge about. SGP can pilot activities to identify harmful chemicals in products at the communities, raise awareness regarding the toxicity, and develop alternatives or provide solutions to handle these products.

Achievements

More than 900 online users of SGP POPs Training Module, and more than 10,000 offline users

More than three thousand tons of pesticides reduced, prevented or managed properly for human and ecosystem health

Winning of CNN Hero 2007 by SGP POPs project in Cuba

Winning of Stockholm Convention PEN Award 2011 by a POPs project in Nepal